The Federal Court of Australia has recently handed down a
decision concerning a claim for rectification of a Side C sublimit
under a multilayered directors' and officers' liability
programme (D&O Programme).
In Quintis Ltd (Subject to Deed of Company Arrangement) v
Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London Subscribing to Policy
Number B0507N16FA15350 1 Justice Lee upheld the
insured's claims for rectification against one of three
subscribing insurers on the first excess layer, and one of seven
insurers on the second excess layer of the 2016 to 2017 D&O
Programme, but the claims against the other subscribing insurers,
including the primary insurers, failed.
This judgment highlights the high evidentiary threshold to be
met to successfully effect rectification of an insurance policy. It
also highlights that, where there is a multilayered insurance
programme, rectification may be assessed separately for each
insurance contract comprising the programme. Further,